Dame Jenni Murray commented: ‘It’s been an extraordinary shortlist this year and very difficult to decide on a winner. Yen is a play of great depth and relevance. In an incredibly dark world each of the characters are drawn with beautiful empathy, and a humanity which stood out to all the judges.’

Also Marianne Elliot said about YEN “It really gets under your skin. It’s incredibly vivid and really upsetting, but in a brilliant way. You get to know and feel for these characters but you’re also aware of the statement this writer is making about the state of the nation.” Watch the award ceremony highlights here.

Anna is delighted to have won this prestigious award. The prize is £16,000, a year long attachment at The Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre and a full production of YEN there.